Avenel

Besides a solid agriculture industry, Avenel plays an important role in the legend of Australia’s most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly, who spent his childhood living in the town and attended the local primary school.

It was during this time that Ned saved a young Richard Shelton from drowning in the local Hughes Creek. For his bravery, Shelton’s parents rewarded Ned with a green silk sash – Ned was wearing this as a cummerbund at the Siege of Glenrowan, when he was finally captured.

His father John (Red) Kelly died in Avenel and is buried at the Cemetery. Red also had his dalliance with the law, once charged, but later acquitted of cattle stealing although fined for illegal possession of a hide. His case was heard at the Avenel Court House, which remains standing today.

Avenel also boasts one of provincial Victoria’s most impressive bridges in the six-arch, stone crossing of Hughes Creek. Built by Hugh Dalrymple in 1850, the bridge remains but was superseded for traffic by a modern structure in 1969.